New math test delayed for grades 5, 8

Updated 12:59 pm, Friday, August 22, 2014

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Could you pass the STAAR Exam?

Test your knowledge against five questions from each grade level on last year's exam to see just how tough the STAAR test really is. The answers are provided in the caption below (but, hey – no cheating!).

About the STAAR Exam: The STAAR was first administered in 2012 as a replacement for the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test and includes annual assessments for grades 3–8 in reading and mathematics; assessments in writing at grades 4 and 7; in science at grades 5 and 8; and in social studies at grade 8; and end-of-course assessments for English I, English II, Algebra I, biology and U.S history.

Note: In addition to reading and writing composition, fourth-grade writing students must complete daily writing assignments like the one from this prompt.

Grade 4 Writing Composition: Day 1 Prompt

Note: In addition to reading and writing composition, fourth-grade writing students must complete daily writing assignments like the one from this prompt.

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 5 Science

Answer: J

Grade 5 Science

Answer: J

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 5 Science

Answer: F

Grade 5 Science

Answer: F

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Grade 5 Science

Answer: C

Grade 5 Science

Answer: C

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 5 Science

Answer: H

Grade 5 Science

Answer: H

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 5 Science

Answer: H

Grade 5 Science

Answer: H

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 6 Math

Answer: D

Grade 6 Math

Answer: D

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 6 Math

Answer: H

Grade 6 Math

Answer: H

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 6 Math

Answer: B

Grade 6 Math

Answer: B

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 6 Math

Answer: F

Grade 6 Math

Answer: F

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 6 Math

Answer: D

Grade 6 Math

Answer: D

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 7 Reading

Answer: B

Grade 7 Reading

Answer: B

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Grade 7 Reading

Answer: A

Grade 7 Reading

Answer: A

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Grade 7 Reading

Answer: G

Grade 7 Reading

Answer: G

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 7 Reading

Answer: H

Grade 7 Reading

Answer: H

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 7 Reading

Answer: F

Grade 7 Reading

Answer: F

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 8 Social Studies

Answer: B

Grade 8 Social Studies

Answer: B

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 8 Social Studies

Answer: G

Grade 8 Social Studies

Answer: G

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 8 Social Studies

Answer: H

Grade 8 Social Studies

Answer: H

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 8 Social Studies

Answer: F

Grade 8 Social Studies

Answer: F

Photo: Texas Education Agency

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Grade 8 Social Studies

Answer: A

Grade 8 Social Studies

Answer: A

Photo: Texas Education Agency

New math test delayed for grades 5, 8

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Fifth and eighth-graders will get a one-year reprieve from having to pass a high-stakes math assessment, the Texas Education Agency announced Friday.

Texas rolled out new curriculum standards in mathematics for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness in April 2012, but the transition hasn't gone smoothly, officials said.

"There are substantial challenges associated with implementation of the revised mathematics statewide curriculum standards in the STAAR grades 3–8 assessments," Commissioner Michael Williams wrote. "For the 2014–2015 school year, districts will use other relevant academic information to make promotion or retention decisions for mathematics."

This year only, students won't be required to pass the test to be promoted to the next grade. Students still must pass the reading exam, according to the TEA.

The revised math curriculum will be taught for the first time this school year.